County Executive for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries David Erukudi this evening chaired a consultative meeting between county officials and representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO), GIZ and World Food Programme (WFP).
The objective of the meeting, held at the sidelines of the saline agriculture conference in Kakuma, was to discuss state of food hydroponic projects established by the development partners and handed over to the community after completion.
The meeting happens, following complaints over alleged conflict associated with integrated projects that are jointly owned by the host community and refugees in Kalobeyei and Kakuma.
In his remarks, CECM Erukudi emphasized on the need to build the capacity of community committees in charge of the integrated projects as a roadmap towards future management and sustainability of the food security projects.
He directed the sub county agriculture officer to meet with the conflicting parties and the community as soon as possible to address the conflict.
The County Executive assured the partners over the County Government’s readiness to develop a framework to guide future projects handed over from partners, but reiterated that the County Government must always take lead in selection and implementation of projects in different parts of the county.
GIZ Deputy Head of Office in-charge of Livelihoods Chris Aletia suggested formulation of policies by the County Government to minimise confusion and conflicts over the projects, while FAO’s head of Kakuma Sub-Office Francis Ekiru Anno underscored the need to by stakeholders from government and partner organisations to understand refugee context on projects established within refugee-inhabited settlements.
County Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation Janerose Tioko echoed called for establishment of policies and structures to guide the handover and operationalization of food security projects.
County Director for Veterinary Services Dr. Benson Long’or and WFP Head of Programmes in Kakuma Samal Lokuno attended the meeting.
The team also met with WFP’s representatives where the discussion centered on programmes currently being implemented jointly including the Sustainable Food Systems Programme.
Others in the meeting included Ag. Directors Victor Lochee (Agriculture) and David Namwaya (Fisheries) as well Deputy Director for Livestock Marketing Ernest Anzeze and a host of technical staff.
